Combined tool chest and workbench



Aug. 13, 1935.

Filed Dec. 24, 1932 2a 1 k l 2/ V /zde7zioz Patented 'Aug. 13, 1935 UNITED STATES COMBINED TOOL CHEST-AND WORKBENCH ErikJ. Mordt, Chicago, Ill., assignor to The A. C.

Gilbert Company, New Haven, Conn.

Application December 24, 1932, Serial No. 648,796 1 2 Claims.

This invention relates to a novel form of tool chest which is so constructed that it may also be utilized as a work bench, the features which go to transforming the same into a work bench being preferablyconstructed so that the several parts may be enclosed in the tool box when in knock-down condition, as for shipping.

The objects of this invention are primarily to provide an improved combined tool box and work bench which will be simple and economical in construction and which will be particularly durable and useful; to provide a knock-down tool box and work bench which is so constructed that the legs and other members may be packed in the box for shipping and. may be readily assembled to form the bench; to provide a tool box having a top or cover adapted to serve as a work bench; to provide a device of the character set forth having novel tool supporting and work supporting devices; and to provide such other novel features and improvements in construction as will appear more fully from the following description.

In the accompanying drawing illustrating this invention;

Fig. 1 is a perspective view of the Work bench shown in operative condition;

Fig. 2 is a perspective view showing the tool box as closed with the legs and other parts enclosed for shipping purposes or the like;

Fig. 3 is an exploded view similar to Fig. 1 showing various of the parts in separated position;

Fig. 4 is a sectional view taken on the line 4-4 of Fig. l; and

Fig. 5 is a detail illustrating an attachment for fastening the box to a table.

The tool box 6 may be made of any suitable material but is preferably provided with a top or cover I formed of heavy plank or boards and adapted to serve as a work bench. The box or chest 6 has cross pieces or supports 8 at the ends for supporting a sliding tray 9 for various tools.

It is also provided at the back with an upwardly extending board It! which may be attached thereto in any well-known manner as by means of screws having a strip ll attached thereto to provide a rack for supporting tools above the bench. This board is preferably shorter than the box so that it may be placed therein.

The box or chest is provided with detachable legs l2 which may also be packed in the box and which may be secured thereto in any desired manner, as by means of screws. Each leg is made of two separate timbers or boards 13 and M which are secured to each other and which embrace the corner of the box as illustrated. The upper ends of the legs project above the top of the box a distance substantially equal to the thickness of the cover I, as shown particularly in Fig. 3, so that the legs serve to hold the cover in position when the device is assembled as a bench, thereby avoiding the necessity of hinges or fasteners therefor.

One of the leg members I5 is made somewhat heavier than the others so that it may serve to support a vise and to provide one of the jaws of the same. The other jaw I8 is hinged or pivoted to the leg member I5 by means of a bolt I1, sufiicient play being allowed to permit free movement of the upper end of the jaw. The screw 18 projects through the jaws and the side of the box and engages with a nut l9 fixed on the inside of the box. A work supporting piece or bracket 20 is secured to the opposite leg at the front of the box for holdinga piece of lumber or other work piece held in the vise.

The entire apparatus is preferably made of sufficient size and of heavy timber or the like so that it will provide a substantial bench adapted for actual work and suitable tools (not shown) are preferably provided therewith to make a complete fitted box or chest for actual service. It will be readily seen that on account of having the exterior members arranged so that they may be packed in the chest, the device may be conveniently shipped and the parts may be readily assembled to place the same in operative condition.

In some instances it may be desirable to attach the box to a table as shown in Fig. 5. For this purpose the box is provided with a plurality of hooks 2| which extendthrough the bottom thereof and whichare provided with wing nuts 22 on the inside of the box so that when the hooks are caught under the lower surface of the table top and the nuts tightened, the box will be securely fastened to the table.

While I have shown a preferred embodiment of my invention, it will be apparent that changes may be made in the proportions or dimensions of the same and various changes may be made in the arrangement of the parts without departing from the scope of the invention and therefore I do not wish to be limited to the particular embodiment herein described except as specifled in the following claims in which I claim.

1. In an apparatus of the character set forth,

the combination of a chest, detachable legs for supporting said chest, a jaw coacting with one of the legs, means for actuating the jaw to provide a vise comprising a screw extending through the jaw and a nut fixed within the chest and engaged by said screw, and. a supporting bracket adjacent to one of the legs for supporting a work piece held in the vise.

2. A combined tool chest and work bench comprising a chest, legs for supporting said chest, means for detachabiy securing the legs to the chest, a jaw hinged to one of the legs, a screw extending through the jaw and the leg, and a nut fixed within the chest and engaged by the screw for actuating the jaw to provide a vise.

ERIK J. MORDT. 

